Thursday, April 14, 2005

Beesball: Matt Wieters

Ok, Chris Berman, how about Matt "hip" Wieters....... Ok, a stretch...... but a great article on our young utility player.... By the description, he kind of sounds like our 2005 "Micah Owings". Great hitter and pitcher and catcher (just not at the same time). This kid is hitting .646 in conference games as a freshman - ARE YOU KIDDING ME????? a .537 OBP - to lead the Jackets. WOW!!! How's this for a day's work:

All over the lineup, as Wieters was on March 27 at Miami. That afternoon, he played first base for four innings, caught the next four after catcher Andy Hawranick got dehydrated, then hit a go-ahead, two-run home run in the top of the ninth. It became the game-winner once Wieters --- who did some long toss in the bullpen after homering --- came on in relief with one out and closed out Tech's 11-10 victory to earn the second of his three saves.


It sounds like his teammates have taken his talents a little too far:

"After the Miami game," Wieters said sheepishly, "the guys jokingly called me 'God.' "


"Because he can do anything," Blackwood said, laughing. "I wouldn't be surprised if he can walk on water."


"I think Tyler Greene started it," Wieters said, smiling.